In 2018. by way of thanks for being a part of this community, we'll be choosing 16 active members of our community at random to receive a special gift and a gift certificate for one of our affiliate vendors, to represent each of our 16 years.

Downtime this morning

My hosting service shut off the forum database this morning for two hours because the database server was apparently getting overloaded. Of course, that meant I spent 1/2 an hour trying to figure out what was going on, because they couldn't possibly be bothered to [email protected]#$.... #[email protected]# tell me ahead of time. Sorry about that. Hopefully it won't happen again. If the forum stays at this increased level of activity I may be forced to get a dedicated server for it and I don't know how much that will cost. We'll see, I guess.

I'm glad that we're back on. Things got so desperate that I actually visited the askandy site, where they are making fun of this situation.

I didn't know that you were shouldering all the expense. Obviously, this site is fairly expensive. Look at the GQ forum, and how cheap their design is.

That seems unfair. Is there any reason why you are shouldering all the costs. The askandy site forum promotes the sales of his encyclopedia, but I still haven't figured out what you get out of all this.

I recommend NOT taking donations from wide range of people. Lets the present moderator have control. It may be difficult to kick off a person if they have been major contributors.

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"CE is like a hieronymus bosch painting only all the tormented little figures are wielding bloody chainsaws." - redcaimen

"It takes courage to look deep within yourself, to discover with increasing awareness of what is not working."-Dewey
Quote:
I think so, but in the process and thereafter the key factors to happiness IMO include:

1. Focusing on building existing and acquiring new relationships, not things.

2. Engaging in activities that are meaningful, fun, and rewarding.

3. Giving of your service, time, and even resources to others.

4. Forgiving others and not holding grudges.

5. Having a sense of humor in that you laugh often and don't take yourself too seriously.
JayJay

If I had to kick off a contributing member I would probably refund his money. But the nature of most contributors is that they enjoy the civil atmosphere as much as, if not more than, the average user, and are more likely to contribute to it in their behaviour as well as financially. In short, they're not too much trouble.

I must contend with this - I think a donation is just that, and has no bearing on whether or not the donator can be banned. It is a donation, not an investment. If the donator gave J's PayPal $1,000,000 and then trolled incessantly after said transaction and was in turn banned, it would be his own fault. And it would be funny.

So interesting that Kalra just rolled over and died... I would have thought that he would have actively popped up again. Interestingly enough I thought of him today wondering who might buy the Blimp that the Neiman Marcus Holiday Catalogue had for 10MM. That and the Swarovsky Mister Potato head for 6K. For the man (or woman) with more money than brains... JJF

Considering how much of a pest he's been on Ask Andy, I'm surprised that Marc "Grayson" hasn't re-appeared on Style Forum. Â I suppose that could be attributed to good (firm)moderation, Steve. Â

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That "pest", if memory serves correctly, was quite helpful to you in offering his thoughts and insights. Why perpetuate references to people like marc39 (or indeed Kalra) given that they've been banned and have no chance to defend themselves?

(banksmiranda @ 18 Oct. 2004, 12:10) Considering how much of a pest he's been on Ask Andy, I'm surprised that Marc "Grayson" hasn't re-appeared on Style Forum. Â I suppose that could be attributed to good (firm)moderation, Steve. Â
That "pest", if memory serves correctly, was quite helpful to you in offering his thoughts and insights. Why perpetuate references to people like marc39 (or indeed Kalra) given that they've been banned and have no chance to defend themselves?
Actually a friend of my father's works for Ispat in Central London, and he tells me that the maiden name of Usha Mittal (Lakshmi's wife) is indeed Kalra. He holds quite a senior position at Ispat, and attended the recent wedding, so I will ask him if I can meet Lakshmi sometime to discuss this.